Reading the posts, written by people who think they could do better, reminds me of when I played sport for a living. There was always some joker who claimed they could do a better job! We had a name for these people, Kenny, short for Kenny Cudabeen. To be a professional in any field requires more than one stellar performance or amateur award. It requires dedication, hard work, consistency, and a small dollop of natural talent. Most amateurs only have the last element. I'm sure that the professional gardeners amongst you will concur.

The short answer is yes. However, cutting the timber exposes raw wood and, depending on the depth of the treatment even sanding or planing will reduce it's effectiveness. As Welshonion said, when you have rebuilt the gates make sure you apply plenty of treatment and let it dry BEFORE hanging them. You must make sure you get into all the nooks and crannies and treat any cut ends or you will be back to square one.

I'm so sorry to hear it's going further wrong. Unfortunately, it sounds like a start again job, I'm afraid. If you do start again, you will be much better off using pre treated tannalised or pressure treated timber. Also it's advisable to attach the tongued and grooved boards, to the diagonal braces, using serrated nails. It's not cheating, the professionals do it. You can then sink the heads using a nail punch and disguise them with waterproof wood filler.

Listen to Dove, Seb, she's right far more often than not! I cut my geraniums hard back after flowering every year and I'm always rewarded with healthy new growth and a second 'flush' of flowers. Happy gardening!

Before you apply any preserver you will have to dry out the gates thoroughly. If you wanted to apply a varnish then a yacht varnish would be the best bet. Ronseal do a good one. If you apply a varnish, or any other sealer type treatment, without completely drying the wood you will be sealing the water in which will lead to them rotting. You will find that the wood will contract when it dries and may cause the joints to become loose or the gates may warp.

I'm sorry to sound all doom and gloom and I hope you are lucky and they are fine. If not then we all make mistakes, the secret is to learn from them. Good luck.